Audio

Flagler store clerk killed

Published: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 5:54 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 11:41 a.m.

Investigators are still seeking a suspect and a motive in the shooting death of a store clerk at a Mobil Gas station in Palm Coast.

Zuheily Roman Rosado, 32, of Palm Coast, was shot Thursday night but the motive was still a question, Flagler County Sheriff's Office Commander Jack Bisland said Friday outside the gas station on State Road 100.

“We are still evaluating whether theft was a motive or anything was taken,” Bisland said.

It was unclear whether it was a robbery or something personal, he said.

“We don't know at this point,” he said. “We don't want to speculate.”

Bisland said security camera video would be “of no value for identification purposes” as far as revealing the killer's face.

No money was taken from the Mobil station on the north side of S.R. 100 east of Interstate 95, according to store owner Rizzi Ansari. He said bundles of cash were still sitting on top of the drop safe below the counter. The cash register also contained money, he said.

“Nothing is missing,” Ansari said. “There was still money sitting on top of the safe. Nobody took that money.”

He said Rosado had not mentioned she was having problems with anyone or if anyone had been bothering her at the store. He said the store was busy Thursday night due to the upcoming Daytona 500.

Rosado was from Puerto Rico and had worked at the store for three years, a longevity that was unusual in the business, Ansari said. She had six children, the youngest just 6 months old and the oldest in high school, he said.

“Her children are very bright,” he said. “A-plus students.”

He said she was an honest, dedicated worker who also cleaned houses on weekends to help make ends meet. She had an ex-husband who lived in Miami and they seemed to get along OK, he said.

Ansari said he plans to make contributions to help the family with funeral and other expenses and also hoped the community would help as well.

“Whatever the community and the town people can do to help her out, they need it,” he said.

The killing was reported to the Flagler Sheriff's Office at 10:21 p.m. Thursday by a customer who entered the store and discovered Rosado on the floor behind a counter, according to sheriff's spokesman Lt. Bob Weber. Deputies and K-9 units arrived within approximately three minutes of the call being dispatched, set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect.

A suspect is seen on video entering the store, Weber wrote in a news release. The suspect is described as a light-skinned man, approximately 5-foot-10, wearing blue jeans and a dark T-shirt. The man is seen in the video pulling his shirt up over his face. The man is then seen fleeing the store moments later and heading west toward I-95, according to the release.

Members of the State Attorney's Homicide Investigation Unit and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit are assisting with the investigation.

Weber said Friday that family members of the slain clerk did not wish to speak to the media and had asked to be left alone. There was also no official information available regarding the victim's children.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, 888-277-TIPS (8477).

<p>Investigators are still seeking a suspect and a motive in the shooting death of a store clerk at a Mobil Gas station in Palm Coast. </p><p>Zuheily Roman Rosado, 32, of Palm Coast, was shot Thursday night but the motive was still a question, Flagler County Sheriff's Office Commander Jack Bisland said Friday outside the gas station on State Road 100. </p><p>“We are still evaluating whether theft was a motive or anything was taken,” Bisland said. </p><p>It was unclear whether it was a robbery or something personal, he said. </p><p>“We don't know at this point,” he said. “We don't want to speculate.” </p><p>Bisland said security camera video would be “of no value for identification purposes” as far as revealing the killer's face. </p><p>No money was taken from the Mobil station on the north side of S.R. 100 east of Interstate 95, according to store owner Rizzi Ansari. He said bundles of cash were still sitting on top of the drop safe below the counter. The cash register also contained money, he said. </p><p>“Nothing is missing,” Ansari said. “There was still money sitting on top of the safe. Nobody took that money.” </p><p>He said Rosado had not mentioned she was having problems with anyone or if anyone had been bothering her at the store. He said the store was busy Thursday night due to the upcoming Daytona 500. </p><p>Rosado was from Puerto Rico and had worked at the store for three years, a longevity that was unusual in the business, Ansari said. She had six children, the youngest just 6 months old and the oldest in high school, he said. </p><p>“Her children are very bright,” he said. “A-plus students.” </p><p>He said she was an honest, dedicated worker who also cleaned houses on weekends to help make ends meet. She had an ex-husband who lived in Miami and they seemed to get along OK, he said. </p><p>Ansari said he plans to make contributions to help the family with funeral and other expenses and also hoped the community would help as well. </p><p>“Whatever the community and the town people can do to help her out, they need it,” he said. </p><p>The killing was reported to the Flagler Sheriff's Office at 10:21 p.m. Thursday by a customer who entered the store and discovered Rosado on the floor behind a counter, according to sheriff's spokesman Lt. Bob Weber. Deputies and K-9 units arrived within approximately three minutes of the call being dispatched, set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect. </p><p>A suspect is seen on video entering the store, Weber wrote in a news release. The suspect is described as a light-skinned man, approximately 5-foot-10, wearing blue jeans and a dark T-shirt. The man is seen in the video pulling his shirt up over his face. The man is then seen fleeing the store moments later and heading west toward I-95, according to the release. </p><p>Members of the State Attorney's Homicide Investigation Unit and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit are assisting with the investigation. </p><p>Weber said Friday that family members of the slain clerk did not wish to speak to the media and had asked to be left alone. There was also no official information available regarding the victim's children. </p><p>Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, 888-277-TIPS (8477).</p>